It is not the first time Wolff has driven an F1 car – she had a familiarisation test with Williams last October and was the first to drive the team’s 2013 car this year at an aerodynamic test in February, and described the Silverstone test as “a fantastic opportunity”.

Wolff added: “It’s going to be a big challenge but the most important thing is to do a solid and consistent job and to give good feedback to the team to be able to prove I am at the level to compete on a day such as this.

“Most of my work is based in the simulator which is why this day is so important for me.

“It will give me a better understanding of what the car is like on track and how that correlates to the simulator which will also help further develop the work I can do there.

“I am not naive enough to think it will be easy. I know it’s going to be tough and a big challenge but the team have prepared me well and I just need to believe in myself. I will go out there and do the best I can.”

The last woman to enter the F1 world championship was Italian Giovanna Amati, who failed to qualify for three races with Brabham in 1992 before being dropped. The last woman to race an F1 car was Italian Lella Lombardi in 1976.

Although Pirelli said the manner in which the teams were operating the tyres was partially to blame, the biggest single cause is believed to have been a weakness in the construction of the 2013 tyre at the shoulder, where the sidewall meets the tread.

As there were no similar problems last year, none are expected with the new design, but the Silverstone test gives Pirelli a chance to make sure before the teams reach the races at Spa in Belgium and Suzuka in Japan, which make even more extreme demands of the tyres.